Moving on, remember how the Lord descended on mount Sinai, in the form of a cloud.

          Having set the background, the title for this week’s torah portion, { Lev.1:1 - 5:26} "vayikra," means "He called." In light of this fact, this week’s torah portion start out by saying. The LORD called to Moses, and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting, saying, "speak to the children of Israel, and say to them:'When any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock — of the herd and of the flock." Lev 1:1-2

           When the sages teach on this passage; they do so by stating the following;. "a burden which is heavy for one is light for two, or one heavy for two is light for four." Then asking the following question; "can a burden too heavy for 600,000 be bearable for one?" What led the sages to ask, such a question?

         Well, remember when the voice if the Lord shook the wilderness, {Ps 77:18} all the people trembled in fear. {Ex 20:18} Then trembling in fear, the people said to Moses, "you speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die." { Ex 20:19} In turn the Lord said, "what they ask, is good." {Deut 18: 17 }

         What the sages are implying, in asking; such a question. It was a burden for the people, to hear the voice of the Lord. Hence Moses became a mediator, between G-d and the people. Where am I going with this, you ask?

         Well Job, who lived before Moses, be mourned the fact, there wasn’t any mediator between G-d and fallen man. {Job 9:33 } Though, upon Yeshua’s death, Yeshua became a Mediator between G-d and fallen man. {1 Tim 2:5 }

         With that said, I was raised attending a Baptist Church, and rarely if ever did I hear a sermon, preached from the book of Leviticus. Why is this significant?

           Remember Yeshua said, "if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. {John 5:46 } That said, Moses wrote the torah, which are the first five books of the bible, with the book of Leviticus, being one of them. In light of this fact, here we read of Moses being a mediator, between G-d and the people. Which foreshadow Yeshua, who is a Mediator between G-d and fallen man. So, Yeshua was right then, because Moses in writing the torah, did write of Yeshua, the Messiah.

         Remember how I stated, earlier this week’s torah portion "vayikra," means "He called." The He is referring to the one true G-d, creator of the universe. It is G-d then, who called out to Moses. Though, remember how we learned that "Av and ben,"{Father and the Son} are the One in the same.

         On that note, when the scribes and the pharisees witnessed Yeshua, eating with the tax collectors and sinners. They asked His disciples, "how is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?" Mark 2:16

        They thought; a respected torah teacher, would never keep company with sinners. Though, here was Yeshua, teaching from the torah, keeping company with sinners. Thus they were dumbfounded; by Yeshua’s actions.

         However before the disciples could reply, Yeshua upon hearing their question stated, "those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." Mark 2:17

           So, with the kingdom of heaven at hand; the great Physician, Yeshua did not come to visit the righteous, but the sick, the un righteous to "call" them to repentance.

              In keeping with the theme, "the Lord called." I’m remindful that Yeshua asked, "why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" Luke 6:46

         In light of Yeshua’s statement; a faithful servant never questioned, the commandment of his master. No; a faithful servant upon being commanded; was obedient to his’ master’s commandments; often unto death.

         In light of this Yeshua stated, "whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock." {Luke 6:47 - 48 } What saying is Yeshua alluding to when He says, "My sayings?

          Being remindful of the fact that "Av and ben," are the one in the same. {John 14:6 } When the Lord uttered the Commandments, from mount Sinai. Not only did the Av {the Father} utter them, but the Ben {the Son} did so too. Why is this significant?

          Well "the sayings" that Yeshua is alluding to, is His’ Commandments. So whoever hears the Lord’s Commandments, and does them, they are like the man, who laid; or build his foundation on the rock. Thus, when a flood came and the water arose, and beat violently against his’ house. The house withstood the pounding, because his’ house was built, upon the rock.

             On this note, I’m remindful that David in describing a bless man stated, "his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper." Ps 1:2-3

          So, whoever meditates on the law, day and night. He is liken unto a tree, planted by a river of water. Meaning; this individual has sunk his roots deep into torah thus; when a drought hit. Not only does he survive; but he produces fruit, all because he meditates on the law, day and night.

        Remember the purpose of the tabernacle, was not build for a house for G-d, or a "worship center" for the people No; the purpose of the tabernacle, was for the express purpose that G-d declares, "I may dwell among them." {Ex 25:8} Thus, later the temple, was built for same express purpose. With that said; once the tabernacle was erected; a cloud covered the tabernacle of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Ex 40:34

          So when Moses erected the tabernacle, the Lord’s presents came down and fill the tabernacle; with it’s glory. Though, at this point, there was a problem! Because of man’s sinful nature, not even Moses, could come within the Lord’s present, and live. This is where the book of Exodus ends, and the book of Leviticus begins.

           That said; the book of Leviticus begins, with the Lord "calling" sinful man to draw near. But how can sinful man; draw near a holy G-d?

          Well, the Hebrew word for the word offering is "corban." This is meaningful; because the root word for "corban" {offering} "qarab" means "coming near." In light of this it should be pointed out; the only way sinful man can draw near unto G-d, is through a blood sacrifice.

          Explaining why the Lord called unto Moses saying, "when any one of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of the livestock — of the herd and of the flock." Lev 1:2

         So in order for an individual "to draw" near unto the Lord, they had to bring an offering unto the Lord. Though his’ offering couldn’t be road kill, it had to come from his’ herd and be without blemish, meaning no defeats. {Lev 1:3 , Deut 15:21 } Can you discern; Yeshua and the Cross?

        Briefly before an individual’s "corban," {offering} was placed on the alter. A priest always inspected the individual’s "corban," or offering in order to ensure the "corban," was without a blemish. Why, is this meaningful, you ask?

       Well, the father of John the Baptist "Zechariah,"was a Levites priest. {Luke 3:2 } This fact is meaningful, because John the Baptist, was a Levites priest too. Thus when John said, "behold the Lamb of G-d." {John 1:36 } John in a Levites priest’s role, pronounced "the Lamb of G-d," was found without a spot, or a blemish, and was worthy to be sacrifice.

      Having said that; had John the Baptist not said; "behold the Lamb of G-d." Then Yeshua would not have met the criteria of "the Lamb of G-d;" worthy of dying for our sins. Though thankfully Yeshua; was without a spot; or blemish. 1 Pet 1:19

        Moving on, most people including myself once thought, the sacrifices that are alluded to in the torah, have to do with the removing of sin. They do not!

         In this week’s portion, there are five "corban, offerings mention. First being the bunt, or elevated offering, in chapter one. The grain offering in chapter two. The peace offering in chapter three. Sin offering in chapter four, and the guilt offering in chapter five.

       Only the final two are "sin related." None of them, takes away sin, nor does the scriptures claim they do. However all of them atone the individual, who offer them. Confused?

         Well, most people including myself once thought, atonement and the forgiveness of sin, are the same thing. Although they are not. Because the Hebrew word for atonement, "kaphar," means covering. So what does "kaphar" covers?

          Remember when Moses erected the tabernacle, he could not enter into it. The reason being, mankind is inflicted with an old sin nature, and a holy G-d can not look upon sin. Thus, man can not come; within the presents of G-d and live. Though, once Moses offered up an offering, his sinful nature, was temporally atone for, or covered. Making it possible for Moses, to enter into the tabernacle and the Lord’s presents.

          So, if John Doe wanted to come near the Lord, he first had to offer up a "corban olah, {elevated offering} to the Lord. This is translated in your bible as "bunt offering." But the word bunt, isn’t found in the Hebrew language.

         The term "olah," means elevated, or lifted up. That said, the bunt offering, {corban olah} temporally covered a person’s sins, lifting them up into the presents of G-d.

        In light of this; if any person sinned against the Lord unintentionally; he was required to offer up a sin offering. {Lev 4:2 ; 27} With that said; the sin offering did not take away sin though, it did temporally atone for, or covered sin. Making it possible for a person’s to go within G-d’s presents; for example.

       Remember when Moses asked the Lord, "to show him his glory?" {Ex 33:18} The Lord replied, "you cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live. However there is a place by me, and you shall stand upon a Rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock , and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen." {Ex 33:20-23} What is the significant of this, you ask?

        Well desiring to see the Lord’s glory, the Lord placed Moses inside a cleft Rock, which we all knows, alludes to Yeshua. Though remember the Hebrew word for atonement, "kaphar," means covering. Thus the point I’m trying to make here, is the rock {Yeshua} covered Moses’ sins. Making it possible for Moses, to get a glimpse of G-d’s glory.

          Returning to the text, the Lord continue on by saying, "he shall put his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him." {Lev 1:4 }  Once the person offering sacrifice arrived at the alter, along with his sacrifice. Before cutting the animal’s throght, he confessed of his sins, while at the same time, placing his hand on the animal’s head. In doing so; the person mentally laid his sins, on the animal.

         It should be pointed out, realizing the animal was not guilty of his sins; many individuals broke down at this point. Thus an on looking priest stepped in; and assisted the individual in slaying his’ sacrifice.

           So once the person offering sacrifice; had transferred his sins on the sacrifice. The sacrifice bore the individual’s sins; and gave it’s life in order to atone; or cover for the individual’s sins.

         Thus I’m remindful that Yeshua Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed. {1 Peter 2:24 } Though whereas this ritual had to be repeated; in order to atone for future sins. Yeshua had to died only once; for our sins; past; present and future. Heb 9:28 ; 1 Pet 3:18

         In closing; what spiritual insight; may we gleam from examining an animal sacrifice? Well Adam was created in G-d’s own image. {Gen 1:27 } In turn man has a spirit and a level of intelligent that animals do not process. Thus when man sinned; he turns against the image that G-d created Adam in. Seeking to desire his’ flesh as an animal do; he then operates on an animal level. This brings about death instead of life; and his spirit is separated from G-d.

           When the Temple was standing; if a person came to his senses; like the wayward son did; {Luke 15:17 } and recognized his sins. He could bring a female goat; without a blemish to the alter in the Temple. Then by laying his hand on the goat’s head; transfer his’ sins on the goat. {Lev 4:28 - 29 } In doing so; he may have realized that the blood split on the alter; should be his’ own; instead of the goat's; then broke down.

          Then as the olah; or bunt offering was being consume in the flames; it often served as a reminder that all we do outside of G-d’s will; is nothing but wood; hay and stubble and will be consumed in flames. Isa 47:14

        Though it is also served as a reminder that anyone; who name isn’t written in "the book of life;" will be cast into the lake of fire and there will be consume in flames; for an eternity.

        So the sin offering was a reminder then that sin; separates us from G-d and brings about death. However entering into his sanctuary in repentance and drawing near to Him; by means of a sacrifice; brings life. What can we gleam from this?

         If Yeshua’s death fulfilled the sacrificial system; and its sacrifices. Then a study of the sacrificial system; gives us a greater insight of the price that Yeshua paid for our sins.

       Though the Church dismisses the law by saying; the law was done away; at the foot of the Cross. This in spite of the fact that Yeshua said; "do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill it." Matt 5:17

         May the LORD bless you and keep you. May the LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you. May the LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace." Num 6:22- 26